Terminal clamp



.J. SCHMIDT TERMINAL CLAMP July 10, 1934.

Filed Feb. 12, 1932 IN V EN TOR. J4COB SEEM/D T A TTORNEYS.

Patented July 10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in terminal clamps, and it consistsof the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a terminal clamp which is simplein construction, and which makes use of a casting having a bore forreceiving a cable and a yoke for bearing against the terminal. A clampcooperates with the yoke and carries a bolt that engages with theterminal and causes the clamp to move the yoke into binding engagementwith the terminal. The device may be quickly removed from the terminaland applied thereto.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification,and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. I

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a partof this application, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of thedevice;

Figure 2 is a top plan view; and

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the device showing thecable-receiving bore in alignment with the axis of the bolt.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a casting, indicated generallyat 1, having a cable-receiving socket 2 and an integral yoke-3. Therecess 4 in the yoke, is slightly larger than the diameter of theterminal or binding post 5, and the recess is conical shaped so as toconform with the conical binding post.

The material of the casting 1 is sufi'iciently elastic to allow of aslight spring action, and this permits the sides of the yoke, which arenormally spaced from the post 5, to be pressed down upon the post by thepull of a clamp 6.

It will be noted from Figure 2 that the yoke 3 has arms '7 withprojections 8, and these projections are engaged by the hook-shaped ends9 of the clamp 6. The hooks 9 and projections 8 are also curved in thedirection of their widths to prevent slipping. The sides 10 of the clampare inclined toward each other, and the base 11 carries a bolt 12, thebolt having a conical end 13 for engaging with the post 5. It will beseen from this that when the bolt 12 is tightened in the nut 14, it willcause the arms 10 to pull upon the sides '7 and cause the recess 4 tocontract and to bind upon the post 5. In this way, a firm connection isestablished between the post and the casting 1.

The sectional view shown in Figure 3 also illustrates how the socket 2may be disposed in alignment with the axis of the bolt 12 instead of atright angles as shown in Figures 1 and 2. I further show the cable 15received in the socket.

When loosening the device from the post, the bolt 12 is merely turned soas to free the point 13 from the post 5, and this will permit the sides7 of the yoke 3 to resume a normal positionthat is, to move away fromthe post a slight distance. This frees the casting from the post and thedevice may be quickly removed.

The principal advantages of the device are its ease of removal from thepost, its perfect grip on the post and its economy of space. It does notinterfere with the plugs on the battery. The device may be manufacturedat a reasonable cost because it is simple in construction. 0

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should beunderstood that various changes or modifications may be made within thescope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

I claim:

1. The combination with a battery terminal post, of a yoke-shapedconnector having a semicircular recess for receiving the post, said yokehaving gripping portions disposed on each side of the recess, a U-clamphaving its ends bent for engaging with the gripping portions, meansbearing against the post for tightening the connector and clamp aroundthe post, said gripping portions and the bent ends of the clamp beingarcuate in shape for permitting the clamp to swing into an angularposition with respect to the connector when the device is tightened onthe post. 7

2. The combination with a battery terminal post, of a yoke-shapedconnector made of spring material and having a semi-circular recess forreceiving the post and having a slightly larger diameter than thediameter of the post, said yoke having gripping portions disposed oneach side of the recess, a U-clamp having its ends bent for engagingwith the gripping portions, the yoke and clamp entirely encircling thepost, andaset screw carried by the clamp and bearing against the post,said screw when tightened causing the clamp to pull the arms of the yoketoward the post, whereby the wall of the recess is restricted and makesan electrical-tight connection with the post, said gripping portions andthe bent ends of the arms being arcuate in shape for permitting theclamp to swing into an angular position with respect to the yoke whenthe device is tightened on the post.

JACOB SCHLJIDT.

